CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Mike and Lynn White are passionate about giving back to their community. The Chesterfield couple often find themselves sharing their time and talents with groups that help children and with organizations that provide educational opportunities. Mr. White, a founding partner of Virginia Asset Management, LLC, and Mrs. White, a former elementary school teacher who is actively involved in volunteer work with nonprofits, strongly believe that education opens doors and creates pathways that lead to good careers and better futures. That is why the two wanted to invest in John Tyler Community College.
More than 10 years ago, Mr. White became involved with the College, serving on the John Tyler Community College Foundation Board and serving a term as the Board’s president. During that time, Mr. White and his wife discovered John Tyler Community College’s commitment to student success and to the community and businesses it serves. “We now understand the high quality of a community college education,” said Mr. White. “Not everyone is in a situation where they can go to a four-year college or university, or they are interested in a career that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree or higher. John Tyler is a great option. Students can start at Tyler, graduate and go right into a job, or they can use a transfer agreement and continue their education at a four-year school. Best of all, they do this without going deep into debt.”
The Whites also appreciate the hands-on learning experiences Tyler offers its students, so they decided to support one of the College’s real-world learning environments – its black box theatre. The theatre, located on the Midlothian Campus in Tyler’s newest academic building, will now be known as The Lynn Theatre thanks to the generous $250,000 donation made by the Whites.
The Lynn Theatre is a flexible space that can seat up to 250 people, depending on the configuration. It is outfitted with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, giving Tyler’s students the opportunity to learn and work with the type of equipment they will find when they go into the workforce. The space will also be utilized by community groups, offering students the chance to learn from others who work in the field and to make important professional connections.
The White’s gift will also support student scholarships. “We understand what it’s like to come from a background where paying for college is difficult, so we believe scholarships are critically important to the students of John Tyler,” said Mr. White. In addition, the White’s donation will help support the naming of the box office at the theatre to the Virginia Asset Management, LLC Box Office. Mr. White says his company, which is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, has supported dozens of community organizations over the years, and he’s thrilled it will be helping support educational and scholarship efforts at Tyler. “If you believe in something, you need to support it and encourage others to get involved,” said White. “We support John Tyler Community College, its students, and the work the College does for the community, so we are investing in it. We also believe in Tyler’s president, Dr. Edward ‘Ted’ Raspiller. Dr. Raspiller is an educator who’s passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who live and work in the community his college serves.”
“I am grateful for Mike and Lynn White’s commitment to John Tyler Community College,” said Dr. Raspiller. “They understand Tyler’s mission, and they see the impact Tyler makes on its students and on the workforce. Two-thirds of jobs require some education or training beyond high school, and Tyler plays an integral role in making sure students are ready for those careers. Our faculty and staff work hard to build partnerships with business and industry to ensure we are offering the programs and credentials needed to meet today’s workforce demands, and that our students are gaining the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in their careers. We also work closely with four-year colleges and universities on agreements that create pathways for our students who want to pursue bachelor’s degrees and beyond. Mike and Lynn White’s gift will help us continue these efforts and will support current and future Tyler students as they pursue their dreams. We are truly thankful.”
To learn about the ways you can support John Tyler Community College, visit http://www.jtcc.edu/foundation, or call the John Tyler Community College Foundation at 804-594-1476.
To find out more about The Lynn Theatre, including a list of spring performances, visit http://www.jtcc.edu/theatre.
The Foundation provides scholarships for students; funds academic programs, capital projects, and renovations to modernize classrooms and labs; and encourages the professional development of John Tyler Community College’s faculty and staff. This work ensures the College continues its pledge of providing academic excellence to students while expanding the services it offers to meet the community’s workforce requirements. Since most of the College’s graduates live and work in the area, gifts to the Foundation are an investment in the future of the community.
John Tyler Community College is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers affordable, quality programs for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served nearly 13,800 students during the 2014-15 academic year, offers 20 associate degrees, six certificates, and 38 career studies certificates. The institution also serves more than 13,000 non-credit trainees and over 1,000 companies and government agencies annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance.